Signal-buoy



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

3.1 MANN. Signal-Bupy.

Patented April 6, I880.

l mn VII MFEFERS. PI iOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. 0, C.

UNTTED STATES EDGAR E. MANN, OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS.

SlGNAL-BUOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 226,238, dated April 6, 1880.

Application filed February 2,1880.

To all whom ct may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR EBENEZER MANN, of Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Signal-Buoys, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved signal-buoy, and is adapted to float upon the surface of the water, thereby becoming sensitive to its action, which, when agitated, will cause it to oscillate, by which the liquid within the tank becomes agitated, and thus inducts the outside air to its inner portions, where its mechanical arrangements are such that it compresses and forces it upward to the dome above, and thence through the same up and out ofthe horn or whistle that may be attached thereto, where it escapes, causing a sound that can be heard a great distance away.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure A, Sheet No. 1, represents a vertical section of an apparatus embodying my invention, whose letters and figures'indicate like parts. Sheet No. 2 is details, in sections, of its interior and exterior parts. Fig. l therein shows the under view of valve U with its connections; Fig. 2, the connection of pipes R and S and valverest U with the tank T Fig. 3, the interior view of base of dome W, showing base of diaphragms X, valves V V V V, and cover-caps N Nto pipes R B; Fig. 4, view of inside deck, showing upper portions of tanks T T, manhole P, and gimbal-ring M, Fig. 5 showing a section of ginibal'ring M.

My invention consists in the formation of its outward casing at its base in the shape of a segment, as seen at A, above which is a cylindrical part, B, while its upper portion is as a frustum of a cone, as seem at G. This casing of iron, of such thickness as may be necessary to withstand the shocks to which it maybe exposed, is to be water-tight, having an outside man-hole, seen at O, by which means access is obtained to the interior of same, within which is a vacuum to enable the buoy the more readily to float. It is provided at its upper part with a hood,D, whose lower base is flanged to meet the casing. This flanged part is perforated, as seen at E, to admit of the passage of air within, which passes upward underneath, between the casing G and hood D,'thence underneath the cover-caps N N, to their mouth, at Fig. 3, where it passes into the induction-pipes R R R.

The interior of the buoy is provided at its base with a large tank, being in four sections and meeting together at their center, as seen at Fig. 4, and extending in opposite directions, as shown at T T, within which the liquid is confined, and flows readily from one to the other, there being no internal divisions therein.

Above and attached to these are four pipes, R R It, running upward to and just above the outside of the base of the dome W, where they are covered with caps, which turn over and downward, as seen at N N, at the mouth of which the air is drawn within, as shown at Fig. 3.

Connected to and in conjunction with the tanks, at their base, as shown in Fig. 2, at s, are four still smaller pipes, S S, which run upward, and converge at equal distances at their upper ends, and enter into the bottom of the dome W, over the ends of which rest the "alves V V. Above these rests the main body of the dome, which is constructed at its base in a circular form,its upper portion being in the form of an apex. Within this dome are four diaphragms, X X, running upward to a point. Between such diaphragms, at their base, are the valve-seats and valves VV, as seen in Sheet No.2, Fig. 3. Below these valves is the upper orifice of the eduction-pipes S S. Near the base of the eduction-pipes S S, where they connect with the induction-pipes R R R, are centered the valves U U, as shown in Sheet No. 2, Fig. 2. These valves are always open, except when closed by the compression of air caused by the agitation of the liquid confined in the tanks beneath, at which time it is forced through the eductionpipes S S, and, opening the valves V V at their upper orifice, enters the dome W, and thence upward through the horn or whistle above, where it escapes with a loud noise. At the same time it is inducting the air from without, between the hood D and casin g 0, into the mouth-piece of the cap N N, thence downward into the induction-pipe R, and filling the vacuum within the tank beneath.

Connected to the tank T is pipe Z, running upward and emerging just through the outer casin g, 0, below the lower portions of the hood D, over which is screwed a brass cap, as shown at Fig. 6. The lower portions of this pipe being connected with the tankT enalles the charging of same when occasion requires it. On the opposite is the pumping-out pipe No. 1, running downward nearly to the bottom of the inside of the buoy, and in like manner is covered with a brass cap. (Seen at Fig. 5.)

Between the tanks T T and bottom of casing A are the chair-supporters Q. Q, Q, for the object of rests, and securely holding the tanks in place. Outside, at its bottom center, is the ring L, for the attachment of balance-weight.

The buoy is provided with an inside deck, as seen at Fig. 4, which serves to strengthen and support the pipes within. This deck is furnished with a man-hole, (shown at P,) thus giving free ingress to all parts within. To the buoy proper are attached two pivots, J J, (seen at 7, Fig. 4,) where it is made fast to the casing B. To these pivots is connected the gimbal-ring M, within which swings the buoy. Half-waybetween the pivots in the gimbal-ring, and opposite each other, are attached two pintles, I I,as shown in Sheet No. 2, Fig. 4. Connected to each pimle are the rings K, for the attachment of a martingale-chain, at whose lower portion is fastened the anchor or grapnel which serves to hold the buoy in the 10- cality where moored. Above the hood D, and in combination with the upper part of the dome W, is the connection of the horn or whistle Y, to which are attached the casing F and cap G, between which are the apertures H H, for the escape of sound.

Having fully described my said improved signal-buoy, thus enabling any practical mechanic to fully construct the same, what I now claim is 1. Combination of the hood or cover D, formor chamber inside of said hood, substantially as shown.

2. The caps N, having the openings 3, the induction-pipes R, leading from said caps, the tanks T, and eduction-pipes S, leading from said tanks to the valves V, all in combination, substantially as shown.

3. The combination of the tanks T, chairs or supports Q, and easing A, all as shown and described.

4. The coupling or connection carrying the valve U, said coupling consisting of a plate, 8, and a second plate, 9,carryin g the valve which closes the entrance to pipes it, all as shown and specified.

5. The tank T,'con1posed of bent pipes united at the center, of uniform diameter between the couplings at 10, and having conical or tapering sections extending from said couplings to the valyes U, adapted as specified.

6. The combination, with a floating buoy, of a gimbal-ring surrounding the same and a martingale-chain attached to said ring and servin g as a fastening for the anchor, substantially as shown.

7. The dome W, having the transverse partitions extending from the diaphragm X to near the whistle or horn, substantially as shown.

8. In a floating buoy constructed substantially as described, the intermediate deck or diaphragm, 2, provided with orifices for the passage and support of the tanks T, induction and eduction pipes R and S, and the man-hole P, substantially as set forth.

EDGAR E. MANN.

Witnesses:

J os. OLYMER, Mrs. THOS. J. ELAM. 

